Polonaise Topping For Asparagus Recipes

SPARGEL - WHITE ASPARAGUS WITH EASY HOLLANDAISE SAUCE

Steps:

• Warm the olive oil or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the peeled and trimmed asparagus, lemon zest, and salt & pepper; stir to combine.
• Cover and cook until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not over cook.
• Arrange on serving platter and squeeze with fresh lemon juice.
• Prepare the Hollandaise Sauce: Cut the butter into four pieces and place in a 1-quart glass measure or bowl. Microwave, covered with a paper towel, on high, until almost melted (about 45 seconds to 1 minute).
• Remove butter from the microwave and stir until completely melted.
• Separate eggs, placing the yolks in a small bowl and setting the whites aside for another purpose. Beat the yolks well with a whisk or fork, then add to the butter and stir well.
• Add cream, lemon juice, and sugar to egg mixture and stir well. Microwave mixture, uncovered, on high, until just slightly thick, about 1 to 2 minutes, stopping every 20 seconds to stir with a fork. Remove sauce from microwave and stir in the mustard.
• Pour warm sauce over the cooked white asparagus and serve at once. Garnish with fresh snipped parsley or fresh small edible flowers such as violets or Johnny jump-ups, if desired.
• NOTE: Sauce may be kept warm for up to 2 hours in an insulated container. Or cool the sauce to room temperature and refrigerate it in a covered microwave safe container for up to 24 hours. To re-warm, cover container with plastic wrap, pierce wrap with a knife to vent, and microwave on 50 percent power until heated through, about 2-3 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through. Do not allow sauce to boil.

ASPARAGUS SAUCE - 2 WAYS

Steps:

• Snap off asparagus tips. Trim & discard the bottom inch of ea asparagus stalk. Peel the stalks, cut into 2-in pieces & set aside.
• Heat butter in a 2 qt saucepan over med heat. Add flour & stir well w/a wooden spoon. Reduce heat to low & cook (stirring often) for about 5 min or till roux has a nutty aromoa, but do not let it brown.
• Whisk in the broth, stirring to make a smooth sauce. Add asparagus stalks, bring to a gentle simmer & cook for 30 minutes.
• Puree using a blender, immersion blender or food proc. Keep warm till ready to use.
• Cook asparagus tips in salted boiling water for 3-5 min or till barely tender. Drain at once, rinse w/cold water to stop cooking process & set aside.
• Just b4 using sauce as desired, add asparagus tips & warm for 3 minutes.
• NOTE #1: If using canned asparagus, drain & reserve liquid. When the roux is ready for addition of the broth, combine the reserved asparagus liquid w/broth to a total volume of 2 cups & add to roux, using additional broth as needed to get desired consistency. This method will concentrate the asparagus flavor. If using it + the broth, you will not need added salt.
• Note #2: Without the fresh asparagus tips, you will not have the visual & textural elements of using fresh asparagus, but the sauce will be rich & flavorful. I favor adding baby shrimp or crisp bacon pieces to get visual & textural elements.
• To Serve: Use sauce to top cheese omelets, cheese grits, a cheese souffle, cheese quesadillas, a baked potato, etc.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH CRUNCHY PARMESAN TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan.
• Rinse asparagus and break off woody bottoms. Peel if thick. Lay stalks in a baking dish that will hold them in two or three layers. If the asparagus are thick, add a splash of water. Drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper; place in oven.
• Roast until the asparagus are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Test for doneness by piercing a spear with point of a sharp knife; it should slide in but meet a little resistance. (Up to this point, the recipe can be made as much as two hours before serving; just leave asparagus at room temperature.).
• Turn on broiler and place rack as close as possible to heating element. Top asparagus with cheese-crumb mixture and run under broiler to brown for 1-2 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

POLONAISE TOPPING FOR ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the butter over moderately high heat until the foam subsides and in it sauté the bread crumbs until they are golden brown. Stir in the egg, the parsley, and salt and pepper to taste and serve the topping over asparagus.